Porsche adds new models to 2014 Panamera sport sedan lineup

By Grant Miller

The Porsche Panamera is one of the best luxury cars money can buy. With an exquisite interior that has everything from heated seats to a chilled glovebox, the Panamera is the epitome of a luxury sports sedan.

Now there’s a Panamera for just about every taste as the lineup expanded for the 2014 model year with the addition of three new variants — the Panamera S E-Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid from Porsche; and two luxurious Executive versions for the Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo models.

The Executive versions have an extended wheelbase and a completely new 3.0 twinturbo V-6 engine.

The Panamera line-up now has nine individual models that offer an extended range between sportiness and comfort.

• Panamera S E-Hybrid — improves on the concept of the previous Panamera S Hybrid with a more powerful electric motor, a higher-performance battery that supplies more energy and is able be recharged from home or public vehicle charging stations. The electric drive produces 95 hp, more than double the power of the previous model’s electric motor (47 hp). Electricity is stored in a newly developed lithium-ion battery, which at 9.4 kWh has increased capacity over the previous battery (1.7 kWh). Via the integrated onboard charging components and the standard Porsche Universal Charger (AC), the battery can reach full charge within two-and-a-half hours when connected to a 240V power source. The Panamera S E-hybrid accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds and tops out at 167 mph.

The first generation of Panamera models set benchmarks for performance and vehicle dynamics in their class, but this second generation is even better. Porsche developed an entirely new engine for the new generation Panamera S and 4S models. Systematic downsizing has resulted in an engine with two fewer cylinders. It is closely related to the 3.6-liter V-6 in the Panamera and Panamera 4, but its displacement was reduced to 3.0 liters. Twin turbo chargers let the new engine develop five per cent more power at 420 hp. The new engine also has an improved torque curve; maximum torque of 384 lb.-ft. is available between 1,750 and 5,000 rpm, which offers instantaneous torque in most driving situations.

A redesigned Auto Start-Stop function ensures that the vehicle stops the engine earlier while coasting to a stop at a traffic light or intersection. The new coasting function of the PDK enables decoupling of the engine from the transmission for almost resistance-free gliding.

Pricing on the 2014 Panamera Porsche models ranges from $78,100 to $161,100 for the top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo Executive.

About The Author

Grant Miller is the publisher of Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277 or by addressing email to Grant@CommunityNewspapers.com.